KEY WEST, Florida Keys — A portion of 2,000 flag carriers reach the harbor in Key West, Fla., Sunday, June 15, 2003, as they dip one end of a 1 1/4-mile-long rainbow flag in the Gulf of Mexico. The mammoth banner, that stretched from the Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean (top of photo) was created by Gilbert Baker and commemorated the 25th anniversary of the gay and lesbian icon that Baker, a San Francisco resident, conceived in 1978. The flag required 17,600 linear yards of fabric, weighs more than 5,000 pounds and was a highlight event of the PrideFest Key West celebration that ended Sunday. (Photo by Andy Newman/fla-keys.com)